Optical-illusion apparatus.



E.P.HOYT. OPTICAL ILLUSION APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 8, 1909.

Patented Dec. 7, 1909.

INVENTOR HHIHHHI IIHIH WITNESSES m P m A my EDWIN P. HOYT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

oPrrcAL-rLLUsioN ArrAnA'rUs.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. '7, 1909.

Application filed April 8, 1909. Serial No. 488,609.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, EDWIN P. HoYT, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city ofNeW York, borough of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and Im-.

horizontal screen, so positioned relatively to the mirror that it will serve to screen ones hand While writing or drawing on a sheet of paper or pad beneath the screen, the mirror being so positioned that the reflection of the hand and the' writing or drawing will be seen. It is well known that with toysv or puzzles of this character, it is exceedingly diflicult to form a predetermined line or lines with a pencil or pen that is screened from the user and only the reflection appearing in the mirror.

The object of my invention is to provide a device of the general character referred to, of improved construction, comprising a few simple parts-which may be readily taken apart and erected, as desired, and which in a knock-down form will be very compact.

The cheapness of construction is also an object I have had in view.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 puzzle embodying my invention and showing the same in-use; Fig. 2 is a plan view one. reduced scale; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section onthe line 3 3: of. Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a detail in section on the line 4- of-Fig. 3." v y 'In carrying out the invention, the screen 10 is preferably in the form of a thin board adapted to loosupported in an apprpximately horizontal position by rear legs 15 and forward legs20, the legs being detachable. The upper ends of the --rear legs 15 are received in suitable openings 11 in the screen 10, while the front legs 20 are received in openings '12. The" openings 12 preferably extend to the'front edge 13 of the screen 10, as it, is desirable that said front screening the paper u rearward of the front edge, I

isa perspective view of a toy ormay be first pl'acedin position legs be the more readily removed from the screen.

I so form the front legs 20 and so arrange them relatively to the screen, that they serve to properly receive and support a mirror 25'. Thus the legs-20, as best seen in Figs. 2 and 3, are formed with vertical grooves 21 which extend from the top. of the legs to a point short of the bottom thereof, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, and the mirror. is preferably of a height to slip into the grooved le s and lie with its upper edge 26 a slight distance below the front edge 13 of the screen 10. In this way the front edge 13 may be utilized, if desired, for hold-- ing a card 30 which may be secured by a pin 32. The card bears any suitable. de-

sign 31, the simple outline of an envelop .being shown in the present instance, as this design is advantageous in presenting diagonal lines between ..a rectangular figure, the formation of diagonal lines being exceedingly diflicult .and-. thus affording much amusement to onlookers witnessing ones efforts to re roduce 'thedesign on a sheet of paper 35,, or instance, when placed on a suitable surface or table below thescreen, as indic'atedin Fig. 1.

It will be seen that the screen is provided with an opening Mat a point rearward from the front edge; this opening afi'ord's the necessary view .of the mirror while, I

35.. By producing the opening 14 the necessary v strengthat the "front is'provided for the combined sustaining legsand mirror supports 20'; In this construction the screen forms the connection z between the four legs.

In assembling the parts the mirror is placed in the described grooves in they legs 20, and the said legs'and mirror are then placedin position ';or ifdesired, the legs 20 and the mirror then inserted therein. In, however, dismembering the structure, it will be convenient to remove the legs 20 andthe mirror to ether.

aving claimas new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent- 1. The herein-described article, comprising a top constituting a screen and provided with 'a sight-opening, means for supporting the rear end of the screen .and perthus described my invention, I

mitting the insertion of ones hand therebeneath, and means independent of the rear supporting means and disposed along the front edge of the screen and depending from said front edge, for supporting the front end of the screen and for supporting also a mirror in a substantially vertical position.

2. In a device of the character described, a board constituting a screen and provided With a sight opening, detachable front and rear legs, and a mirror detachably held in the front legs.

3. In a device of the character described,

a board constituting a screen and provided With a sight opening, front and rear detachable legs, and a mirror detachably held in the front legs, the said front legs having in their opposed sides vertical grooves in which the mirror is received.

4. A device of the character described, comprising a horizontal board having a series of openings, and legs adapted to said openings, certain of said openings being at the front and extending through the front edge of the screen, the screen having a sight opening atthe front portion, the front legs projecting at their front edges beyond the front edge of the screen and having means for supporting a mirror thereon.

5. A device of the character described,

comprising a horizontal board having a 1 series of openings and legs adapted to said open1ngs,'certain of said openings being. at

posed faces ofethe front legs, the grooves terminating short of the bottom ends of the legs, and a mirror fitting said grooves, but of such a height as to cause its top edge to lie below the screen.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name'to this specification in the two subscribing Witnesses.

EDW IN HOYT. Witnesses:

, J. L. MOAULIFFE,

PHILIP D. ROLLHAUS.

presence of 

